KR20130043910A - Mobile terminal and method for controlling thereof, and recording medium thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A mobile terminal, a control method, and a recording medium are provided to efficiently perform NFC(Near Field Communication) with an external object. CONSTITUTION: An NFC module(114) performs NFC with an external object. A sensing unit(140) senses an event for activating the NFC module. When the event is sensed through the sensing unit, a control unit(180) activates the NFC module. The control unit generates an RF(Radio Frequency) field for the NFC with the external object. The control unit receives a response message through the NFC module from the external object in response to the RF field. [Reference numerals] (110) Wireless communication unit; (111) Broadcast receiving module; (112) Mobile communication module; (113) Wireless internet module; (114) NFC module; (115) Location information module; (120) A/V input unit; (121) Camera; (122) Microphone; (130) User input unit; (140) Sensing unit; (141) Proximity sensor; (150) Output unit; (151) Display unit; (152) Sound output module; (153) Alarm unit; (154) Haptic module; (160) Memory; (170) Interface unit; (180) Control unit; (181) Multimedia module; (190) Power supply unit

Description

Mobile terminal and control method thereof, recording medium therefor {MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THEREOF, AND RECORDING MEDIUM THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal for transmitting and receiving information to and from an external object in a NFC (Near Field Communication) communication method, a control method thereof, and a recording medium therefor.

Terminals may be divided into mobile / portable terminals and stationary terminals according to their mobility. The mobile terminal may be further classified into a handheld terminal and a vehicle mount terminal according to whether a user can directly carry it.

Such a terminal has various functions, for example, in the form of a multimedia device having multiple functions such as photographing and photographing of a moving picture, reproduction of a music or video file, reception of a game and broadcasting, etc. .

In order to support and enhance the functionality of such terminals, it may be considered to improve the structural and / or software parts of the terminal.

In addition, the NFC module for transmitting and receiving information in the NFC communication method is provided in the terminal, there are proposed methods to provide a variety of additional services using NFC communication, but the power consumption of the terminal increases due to the NFC module installed There are disadvantages.

The present invention is to provide a mobile terminal that performs NFC communication with an external object efficiently.

In addition, the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal to prevent unnecessary power consumption when the NFC communication with the external object.

In addition, the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal that minimizes the time to recognize the external object when the NFC communication with the external object.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, unless further departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It will be possible.

When the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above-mentioned object detects an event through a local area communication module for performing local area communication with an external object, a sensing unit for sensing an event for activating the local area communication module, and a sensing unit A controller for activating the NFC module to generate a radio frequency field for initiating short-range communication with an external object and receiving a response message from the external object through the short-range communication module in response to the radio frequency field. It includes.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a mobile terminal, the method comprising: detecting an event for activating a short range communication module, and upon detecting an event, activates the short range communication module to perform short range communication with an external object. Generating a radio frequency field for initiating and receiving a response message from an external object in response to the radio frequency field.

The computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the program of the present invention for realizing the above object comprises means for detecting an event for activating a near field communication module for performing near field communication with an external device, and upon detecting the event, the near field communication module Means for generating a Radio Frequency field for activating short-range communication with an external object by activating and receiving a response message from the external object in response to the radio frequency field.

The mobile terminal according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above may efficiently perform NFC communication with an external object.

In addition, the mobile terminal according to at least one embodiment of the present invention may prevent unnecessary power consumption of the mobile terminal by activating the NFC module according to the proximity of an external object or the detection of the movement of the mobile terminal.

In addition, the mobile terminal according to at least one embodiment of the present invention can minimize the time for recognizing the external object by recognizing the external object according to the user's selection according to the priority.

The effects obtained by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description will be.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the proximity depth of the proximity sensor.
3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a process of reading information of an external object in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a process of reading information of an external object in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a process of reading information of an external object in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of polling to read information of an external object selected by a user in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a process of setting a list of external objects in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of polling according to priority in order to read information of an external object in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a view comparing a process of polling to read information of an external object in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal related to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The suffix "module" and " part "for the components used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have their own meaning or role.

The mobile terminal described in this specification may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a PMP (Portable Multimedia Player), and navigation. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may also be applied to fixed terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers, etc., except when applicable only to mobile terminals.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an audio / video input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, A controller 170, a controller 180, a power supply 190, and the like. The components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential, and a mobile terminal having more or fewer components may be implemented.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules for enabling wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and the network in which the mobile terminal 100 is located. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short range communication module 114, and a location information module 115 .

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may refer to a server for generating and transmitting broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information, or a server for receiving broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information generated by the broadcast management server and transmitting the generated broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information. The broadcast signal may include a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, a data broadcast signal, and a broadcast signal in which a data broadcast signal is combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast-related information may refer to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or information related to a broadcast service provider. The broadcast related information may also be provided through a mobile communication network. In this case, it may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast related information may exist in various forms. For example, it may exist in the form of Electronic Program Guide (EPG) of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) or Electronic Service Guide (ESG) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H).

For example, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), a Media Forward Link Only And a Digital Broadcasting System (ISDB-T) (Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial). Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be adapted to other broadcasting systems as well as the digital broadcasting system described above.

The broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives radio signals to at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless signal may include various types of data depending on a voice call signal, a video call signal or a text / multimedia message transmission / reception.

The wireless Internet module 113 is a module for wireless Internet access, and may be built in or externally attached to the mobile terminal 100. Wireless Internet technologies may include Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and the like.

The short range communication module 114 refers to a module for short range communication. Short range communication technology, such as Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, Near Field Communication (NFC), etc. This can be used.

The position information module 115 is a module for obtaining the position of the mobile terminal, and a representative example thereof is a Global Position System (GPS) module.

Referring to FIG. 1, an A / V (Audio / Video) input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video call mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame can be displayed on the display unit 151. [

The image frame processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. [ Two or more cameras 121 may be provided depending on the use environment.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal through a microphone in a communication mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, or the like, and processes it as electrical voice data. The processed voice data can be converted into a form that can be transmitted to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 when the voice data is in the call mode, and output. Various noise reduction algorithms may be implemented in the microphone 122 to remove noise generated in receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for a user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad dome switch, a touch pad (static pressure / capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 senses the current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as the open / close state of the mobile terminal 100, the position of the mobile terminal 100, the presence or absence of user contact, the orientation of the mobile terminal, And generates a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, it may sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. In addition, whether the power supply unit 190 is supplied with power, whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to the external device may be sensed. Meanwhile, the sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141.

An example of the sensing unit 140 that detects the current state of the mobile terminal 100 may include a geomagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, and an altimeter.

Geomagnetic sensor is a sensor that can detect the direction of the compass like a compass by grasping the flow of magnetic field in the earth. Geomagnetism is the magnetism of the earth, which is not immutable but changes periodically or irregularly. Three independent components are needed to determine the geomagnetic field at a point, and the horizontal component, azimuth and dip are included. The geomagnetic field is determined by the geomagnetic sensor by using the X-axis (horizontal) sensor, the Y-axis (vertical) sensor, and the Z-axis (up-down) sensor. The left and right directions are sensed and the Z-axis sensor measures the movement direction of the mobile terminal 100 by detecting the up and down directions of the mobile terminal 100.

The acceleration sensor is a sensor that can directly detect the dynamic vibration change (acceleration) of a sensor body that specifies a physical quantity called a change in speed. There is a piezoelectric acceleration sensor, and the silicon structure of the sensor changes according to the acceleration change due to the movement of the moving body, and the change in the silicon structure generates charge in the silicon. The charge generated in the silicon changes the capacitance of the sensor, which converts the amount of change of capacitance into a corresponding voltage value, and acts as a principle of detecting the movement of the moving object.

The gyro sensor is a sensor that senses this vertical force on the same principle as the acceleration sensor when the Coriolis force is generated in the vertical direction of the rotation angle by the rotation angle acceleration sensor.

An altimeter is a sensor for measuring a pressure difference (pressure) that changes according to altitude, and a timer detects a time point at which a movement of the mobile terminal 100 starts and a time point is completed.

The output unit 150 is for generating an output relating to visual, auditory or tactile sense and includes a display unit 151, an acoustic output module 152, an alarm unit 153, a haptic module 154, 155, and the like.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal is in the call mode, a UI (User Interface) or a GUI (Graphic User Interface) associated with a call is displayed. When the mobile terminal 100 is in the video communication mode or the photographing mode, the photographed and / or received video or UI and GUI are displayed.

The display unit 151 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and a flexible display (flexible). and at least one of a 3D display.

Some of these displays may be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen through. This can be referred to as a transparent display, and a typical example of the transparent display is TOLED (Transparent OLED) and the like. The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be of a light transmission type. With this structure, the user can see an object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display unit 151 of the terminal body.

There may be two or more display units 151 according to the embodiment of the mobile terminal 100. For example, in the mobile terminal 100, a plurality of display portions may be spaced apart from one another, or may be disposed integrally with one another, and may be disposed on different surfaces, respectively.

When the display unit 151 and a sensor for detecting a touch operation (hereinafter, referred to as a touch sensor) form a mutual layer structure (hereinafter referred to as a touch screen), the display unit 151 may be configured in addition to an output device. Can also be used as an input device. The touch sensor may have the form of, for example, a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in a pressure applied to a specific portion of the display unit 151 or a capacitance generated in a specific portion of the display unit 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor can be configured to detect not only the position and area to be touched but also the pressure at the time of touch.

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to the touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal (s) and transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. As a result, the controller 180 can know which area of the display unit 151 is touched.

The proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of the mobile terminal or in the vicinity of the touch screen, which is enclosed by the touch screen. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or a nearby object without mechanical contact using the force of an electromagnetic field or infrared rays. The proximity sensor has a longer life span than the contact sensor and its utilization is also high.

Examples of the proximity sensor include a transmission photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. And to detect the proximity of the pointer by the change of the electric field along the proximity of the pointer when the touch screen is electrostatic. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the act of allowing the pointer to be recognized without being in contact with the touch screen so that the pointer is located on the touch screen is referred to as a "proximity touch", and the touch The act of actually touching the pointer on the screen is called "contact touch." The position where the pointer is proximately touched on the touch screen means a position where the pointer is vertically corresponding to the touch screen when the pointer is touched.

The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (e.g., a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, a proximity touch movement state, and the like). Information corresponding to the detected proximity touch operation and the proximity touch pattern may be output on the touch screen.

The sound output module 152 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like. The sound output module 152 also outputs sound signals related to functions (e.g., call signal reception sound, message reception sound, etc.) performed in the mobile terminal 100. [ The audio output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events that occur in the mobile terminal include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, touch input, and the like. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event in a form other than the video signal or the audio signal, for example, vibration. The video signal or the audio signal may be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152 so that they may be classified as a part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. Vibration is a representative example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154. The intensity and pattern of vibration generated by the haptic module 154 can be controlled. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or sequentially output.

In addition to vibration, the haptic module 154 may be configured to provide a pin array that vertically moves with respect to the contact skin surface, a jetting force or suction force of air through an injection or inlet port, grazing to the skin surface, contact of an electrode, electrostatic force, and the like. Various tactile effects can be generated, such as effects by the endothermic and the reproduction of a sense of cold using the elements capable of endotherm or heat generation.

The haptic module 154 can be implemented not only to transmit the tactile effect through the direct contact but also to allow the user to feel the tactile effect through the muscular sensation of the finger or arm. The haptic module 154 may include two or more haptic modules 154 according to the configuration of the portable terminal 100.

The memory unit 160 may store a program for processing and controlling the control unit 180 and temporarily store the input / output data (e.g., telephone directory, message, audio, For example. The memory unit 160 may also store the frequency of use of each of the data (for example, each telephone number, each message, and frequency of use for each multimedia). In addition, the memory unit 160 may store data on vibration and sound of various patterns output when the touch is input on the touch screen.

The memory 160 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM A disk, and / or an optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in association with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path for communication with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device or supplies power to each component in the mobile terminal 100 or transmits data to the external device. For example, a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, an audio I / O port, A video input / output (I / O) port, an earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 170.

The identification module is a chip for storing various information for authenticating the use right of the mobile terminal 100 and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identity module (SIM), a general user authentication module A Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), and the like. Devices with identification modules (hereinafter referred to as "identification devices") can be manufactured in a smart card format. Accordingly, the identification device can be connected to the terminal 100 through the port.

The interface unit may be a passage through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100 when the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, or various command signals input from the cradle by a user may be transferred. It may be a passage that is delivered to the terminal. The various command signals or the power source input from the cradle may be operated as a signal for recognizing that the mobile terminal is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, voice communication, data communication, video communication, and the like. The control unit 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for multimedia playback. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the control unit 180 or may be implemented separately from the control unit 180. [

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing handwriting input or drawing input performed on the touch screen as characters and images, respectively.

The power supply unit 190 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 180 to supply power for operation of each component.

The various embodiments described herein may be embodied in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device using, for example, software, hardware, or a combination thereof.

According to a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like. It may be implemented using at least one of processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing other functions. The described embodiments may be implemented by the controller 180 itself.

According to the software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described herein may be implemented as separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more of the functions and operations described herein. Software code can be implemented in a software application written in a suitable programming language. The software code is stored in the memory 160 and can be executed by the control unit 180. [

The proximity sensor 141 described with reference to FIG. 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2.

2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the proximity depth of the proximity sensor.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, when a pointer such as a user's finger or pen approaches the touch screen, the proximity sensor 141 disposed in or near the touch screen detects this and outputs a proximity signal.

The proximity sensor 141 may be configured to output different proximity signals according to a distance between the proximity touched pointer and the touch screen (hereinafter, referred to as “proximity depth”).

In FIG. 2, for example, a cross section of a touch screen having proximity sensors capable of sensing three proximity depths is illustrated. Of course, proximity sensors that detect less than three or more than four proximity depths are also possible.

Specifically, when the pointer is completely in contact with the touch screen (d0), it is recognized as a contact touch. If the pointer is located on the touch screen at a distance less than the distance d1, it is recognized as a proximity touch of the first proximity depth. If the pointer is located on the touch screen at a distance d1 or less and less than the distance d2, the pointer is recognized as a proximity touch of the second proximity depth. When the pointer is spaced apart from the d2 distance by more than d3 distance on the touch screen, it is recognized as a proximity touch of a third proximity depth. When the pointer is located at a distance greater than or equal to d3 on the touch screen, the proximity touch is recognized as released.

Accordingly, the controller 180 may recognize the proximity touch as various input signals according to the proximity depth and the proximity position of the pointer, and perform various operation control according to the various input signals.

The mobile terminal mentioned below includes at least one of the components shown in FIG. 1, but is not necessarily limited thereto. In particular, the mobile terminal to which the present invention is applicable includes a short-range communication module 114 for performing short-range communication and a sensing unit 140 for detecting a current state of the mobile terminal 100 or detecting an approach of an external object. Assume

An example of a communication method through the short range communication module 114 may include Near Field Communication (NFC). NFC is a short-range wireless connection standard using magnetic field induction between adjacent devices, and related standards include Ecma 340 and ISO / IEC 18092. This method can be seen as a kind of RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification), and uses a frequency of 13.56MHz band similar to a smart card, but there is a big difference that it supports two-way communication unlike a smart card that supports only one-way communication. . In other words, unlike a smart card that only serves as a tag that stores and transmits specific information to a reader, NFC serves as a reader / writer that reads or writes information of a tag as well as a tag as needed. In addition, when NFC is provided in both terminals, it may be used for P2P (Point to Point) information exchange. Compared to Bluetooth, this technology can be implemented with a high level of security, and has the advantage of providing fast connection. Although the communication distance is shorter (10 ~ 20cm) than the Bluetooth method, confusion is reduced in a complicated space. In addition, it is possible to immediately set up the communication without the need for separate user recognition between terminals, and the communication time is relatively short, which is advantageous for security.

Hereinafter, it is assumed that the short-range information exchange described herein is performed by the NFC method, and it is assumed that the mobile terminal 100 is provided with an NFC module capable of performing the NFC function as one of the short-range communication modules 114.

In addition, an external object that the mobile terminal 100 may receive specific information through the NFC module or transmit specific information is referred to as an "external NFC object", the external NFC object includes the above-described 'tag'. The case where the NFC module of the mobile terminal 100 is approached within a predetermined distance so as to be activated is referred to as "NFC contact" for convenience.

3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a process of reading information of an external object in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, the mobile terminal 100 equipped with the NFC module may be driven in three modes. First, when operating in the reader mode (reader mode), the mobile terminal 100 transmits a predetermined command message to the tag in NFC contact, and receives the response message in response to the command message, thereby reading the information of the tag Can come. For example, when the user NFC contact the mobile terminal 100 to the credit card, the user can query the payment amount, the limit amount, etc. of the credit card through the output unit 150 of the mobile terminal 100, A server URL (Universal Resource Locator) of a card company can be obtained and connected to a server of a credit card company. In addition, when the user NFC contact the mobile terminal 100 to the tag attached to the various items, the user can check the detailed information, such as the price of the goods, the distribution date through the output unit 150 of the mobile terminal 100 .

Secondly, when operating in the card mode (card mode), when the mobile terminal 100 makes an NFC contact with the external NFC reader, the mobile terminal 100 receives a command message of the external NFC reader, the response accordingly Will send the response message. For example, when the traffic card chip is mounted on the mobile terminal 100, the user may NFC the contact with the traffic card reader installed on the bus or subway to calculate the fare of the bus or subway. At this time, the traffic card reader transmits a command message for requesting fee information to the mobile terminal 100, and the mobile terminal 100 transmits the stored fee information in response thereto.

Lastly, when operating in the P2P mode, when the mobile terminal 100 makes NFC contact with an external device such as another mobile terminal on which the NFC module is installed, the mobile terminal 100 may exchange predetermined information between the mobile terminal 100 and the other mobile terminal. have. For example, the user can easily transfer a certain amount of money in the user's account to another person's account through NFC contact with the mobile terminal 100 of another person.

The mobile terminal 100 may repeatedly operate while changing the three modes, or may be set to operate only in a specific mode by the user's selection.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the mobile terminal 100 operates in a reader mode, the mobile terminal 100 generates a radio frequency field to read information of an external object operating as a tag.

Specifically, the mobile terminal 100 emits radio waves whose strength of the magnetic field changes periodically, which is called a radio frequency field. When the external object makes NFC contact with the mobile terminal 100 that emits radio waves, an induced current is generated through the coil provided in the external object due to the radio wave emitted by the mobile terminal 100. The external object wirelessly transmits the information stored in the memory chip to the mobile terminal 100 using the generated induced current.

That is, since the external object transmits information through radio waves emitted by the mobile terminal 100, no power is required, but the mobile terminal 100 must be supplied with power at all times in order to launch radio waves.

In the conventional NFC reader, since power was always supplied to emit radio waves, the issue of power consumption did not occur. However, in the case of the mobile terminal 100, since the capacity of the battery is limited, power consumption may act as an important issue. .

In addition, there are various types of tags due to various NFC standards as described above. In order to establish such various types of tags and short-range wireless communication, a protocol of a radio frequency field according to each tag type is required. Accordingly, when the mobile terminal 100 operates in the reader mode, the mobile terminal 100 generates the radio frequency field while sequentially changing the protocol of the radio frequency field according to the tag type in order to establish near field communication with the NFC object. This series of processes is called polling.

As such, even if any external object makes NFC contact, when the mobile terminal 100 performs a polling process and establishes short range wireless communication with the external object, the time required for the mobile terminal 100 to establish short range wireless communication with the external object increases. And as time increases, issues about power dissipation can arise.

Hereinafter, the embodiment according to FIG. 4 generates a radio frequency field only when a specific event occurs, even though the mobile terminal 100 operates as a reader in the embodiment according to FIG. It suggests ways to minimize power.

4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a process of reading information of an external object in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, in FIG. 3A, when the specific event does not occur, the NFC module of the mobile terminal 100 is not activated and operates in a card mode and does not generate a radio frequency field. That is, when the mobile terminal 100 can operate in three modes as described above, when there is no user setting, the mobile terminal 100 can perform the operation of each mode while periodically repeating the reader mode, the card mode, and the P2P mode. have. However, in the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 100 does not periodically repeat the reader mode and the P2P mode, and minimizes power consumption while continuously operating in the card mode until a specific event occurs.

As shown in FIG. 4B, when the external object approaches the mobile terminal 100, the controller 180 detects that the external object has approached through the proximity sensor 141.

The controller 180 may determine that an event for activating the NFC module when the external object approaches the preset threshold or more through the proximity sensor 141. In addition, when the plurality of proximity sensors 141 are installed in the mobile terminal 100 as illustrated in FIG. 2, when the external object is spaced apart from, for example, a distance d1 or more and less than d2, the NFC module may be located. It can be determined as an event to activate. The threshold or the threshold section may be set to default, and may also be changed by the user's setting. Accordingly, the user can minimize the power consumption by setting the threshold or the critical section to be small, and can improve the sensitivity of the access of an external object by setting the threshold or the critical section to be large.

In addition, even if the NFC module of the mobile terminal 100 is deactivated, the proximity sensor 141 may always be in an active state regardless of the setting of the mobile terminal 100 so as to detect that an external object has approached. At this time, in order to improve the sensitivity of the external object and minimize power consumption due to the proximity sensor 141, the controller 180 detects the external object only when the external object approaches the specific direction through the proximity sensor 141. In order to do so, the proximity sensor 141 may be installed to face a specific surface of the mobile terminal 100. In addition, even when the proximity sensor 141 is installed on a plurality of surfaces of the mobile terminal 100, the controller 180 may use an event for activating the NFC module to detect a detection signal of an external object through the specific proximity sensor 141. You can judge.

Subsequently, as illustrated in (c) of FIG. 4, the controller 180 detecting that the external object has approached through the proximity sensor 141 activates the NFC module, and the activated NFC module operates in the reader mode. In other words, the NFC module generates a radio frequency field. When the external object is an external NFC object equipped with an NFC module, the external object generates an induced current due to the received radio frequency field and transmits a response message to the mobile terminal 100 using the generated induced current. Then, the controller 180 receives the response message of the external object through the NFC module.

At this time, the controller 180 detecting that the external object has approached may activate the NFC module and deactivate the proximity sensor 141. When the plurality of external objects approach the mobile terminal 100 by activating the NFC module and simultaneously deactivating the proximity sensor 141, the controller 180 activates the NFC module by receiving a detection signal from the proximity sensor. It is possible to prevent repeatedly transmitting a signal for activating the NFC module.

In addition, the controller 180 that detects that the external object is approaching may check whether the NFC module is activated, and then transmit a signal for activating only when the NFC module is deactivated to the NFC module.

When the external object approaching the mobile terminal 100 as shown in FIG. 4 (d) is an object not equipped with the NFC module, the controller 180 does not receive a response message through the NFC module. If the controller 180 does not receive any response message from the external object for a predetermined time from when the external object is detected through the proximity sensor 141 or when the radio frequency field is generated, the controller 180 deactivates the NFC module. Subsequently, the deactivated NFC module operates in the card mode and releases the generation of the radio frequency field.

In this case, if the controller 180 continuously detects the external object for a predetermined time from the time of detecting the external object through the proximity sensor 141, the controller 180 may deactivate the NFC module and a predetermined number of times from the time of detecting the external object. When the external object is detected, the NFC module can be deactivated. At this time, if the external object is detected more than a certain number of times during a certain time, it is of course possible to deactivate the NFC module.

In addition, as described above, when the controller 180 activates the NFC module and deactivates the proximity sensor 141, the controller 180 deactivates the NFC module and activates the proximity sensor 141 again. Start to detect access.

Meanwhile, the external object approaching the mobile terminal 100 may be an external NFC object equipped with an NFC module or an object not mounted with an NFC module. In this case, when the controller 180 detects that the external object is approached through the proximity sensor 141, the controller 180 displays a predetermined message indicating that the external object is detected through the output unit 150, and whether the user activates the NFC module. Or you can choose whether or not to activate it. The controller 180 activates the NFC module when the user receives a selection for activating the NFC module through the user input unit 130. Even if the external object is detected through the proximity sensor 141, the mobile terminal 100 performs a process of receiving a selection from the user, thereby preventing the NFC module from always being activated even when the object is not equipped with the NFC module. It is also possible to minimize power consumption.

4 illustrates a method of activating an NFC module only when the mobile terminal 100 operates as a reader and detects that an external object is approached through the proximity sensor 141. Hereinafter, the embodiment according to FIG. 5 proposes a method of detecting an event for activating an NFC module by using a sensor capable of detecting a movement of the mobile terminal 100. Descriptions duplicated with the embodiment of FIG. 4 will be omitted.

5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a process of reading information of an external object in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, in FIG. 5A, when the specific event does not occur, the NFC module of the mobile terminal 100 is not activated and operates in a card mode and does not generate a radio frequency field.

When the mobile terminal 100 moves as shown in FIG. 5B, the controller 180 detects the movement of the mobile terminal 100 through the sensing unit 140.

The controller 180 may determine that the event is to activate the NFC module when detecting the movement of the mobile terminal 100 above a preset threshold. In this case, the threshold may mean a distance that the mobile terminal 100 moves, and may mean a speed at which the mobile terminal 100 moves. That is, the controller 180 may determine that the event is for activating the NFC module only when moving more than a specific distance or moving more than a specific speed.

In addition, even if the NFC module of the mobile terminal 100 is deactivated, the sensing unit 140 may always be in an active state regardless of the setting of the mobile terminal 100 to detect the movement of the mobile terminal 100. In this case, in order to minimize power consumption due to the sensing unit 140, when detecting a specific direction or a specific movement, the controller 180 may determine an event for activating the NFC module. For example, a movement in a specific direction refers to a case in which the mobile terminal 100 moves in a direction toward the display unit 151 of the mobile terminal 100, and the specific movement is a movement in which the mobile terminal 100 shakes left and right. Means. In this case, the controller 180 previously stores a specific direction or a specific movement of the mobile terminal 100 as a predetermined gesture in the memory unit 160 and controls the movement of the mobile terminal 100 through the sensing unit 140. If detected, it is determined whether the motion is the same as the gesture stored in the memory unit 160. Subsequently, the controller 180 may determine the event to activate the NFC module only when the movement of the mobile terminal 100 is the same movement as the stored gesture.

Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 5C, the controller 180 detecting the movement of the mobile terminal 100 activates the NFC module, and the activated NFC module operates in the reader mode. In other words, the NFC module generates a radio frequency field. When the external object is an external NFC object, the external object generates an induced current due to the received radio frequency field, and transmits a response message to the mobile terminal 100 using the generated induced current. Then, the controller 180 receives the response message of the external object through the NFC module.

In this case, the controller 180 detecting the movement of the mobile terminal 100 may activate the NFC module and deactivate the sensing unit 140. When the movement of the mobile terminal 100 continues by activating the NFC module and deactivating the sensing unit 140, the controller 180 receives the detection signal from the sensing unit 140 to activate the NFC module and then activates the NFC module. Repeated transmission of the signal for activating the module can be prevented.

In addition, the controller 180 detecting the movement of the mobile terminal 100 may determine whether the NFC module is activated, and then transmit a signal for activating only to the NFC module when it is deactivated.

When the external object located in the radio frequency field generated by the mobile terminal 100 is an object not equipped with an NFC module as shown in FIG. 5D, the controller 180 does not receive a response message through the NFC module. . The controller 180 deactivates the NFC module when the response message is not received from the external object for a predetermined time from when the movement of the mobile terminal 100 is detected. Subsequently, the deactivated NFC module operates in the card mode and releases the generation of the radio frequency field.

At this time, if the controller 180 continuously detects the movement of the mobile terminal 100 for a predetermined time from the time of detecting the movement of the mobile terminal 100 through the sensing unit 140, the NFC module may be deactivated. When the movement of the mobile terminal 100 is detected a predetermined number of times from the time of detecting the movement of the mobile terminal 100, the NFC module may be deactivated. At this time, if the movement of the mobile terminal 100 is detected more than a certain number of times for a certain time, of course, the NFC module can be deactivated.

In addition, as described above, when the controller 180 activates the NFC module and deactivates the sensing unit 140, the controller 180 deactivates the NFC module and activates the sensing unit 140 again. Start to detect the movement of 100).

Meanwhile, the external object approaching the mobile terminal 100 may be an external NFC object equipped with an NFC module or an object not mounted with an NFC module. In this case, when the controller 180 detects the movement of the mobile terminal 100, the controller 180 displays a predetermined message indicating that the movement of the mobile terminal 100 is detected through the output unit 150, and the user activates the NFC module. You can choose whether or not to activate it. When the controller 180 receives a selection for activating the NFC module from the user through the user input unit 130, the controller 180 may activate the NFC module. Even if the movement of the mobile terminal 100 is detected through the sensing unit 140, the mobile terminal 100 performs a process of receiving a selection from the user, so that the NFC module is always activated even in the case of an object not equipped with the NFC module. This can minimize power consumption.

4 and 5 illustrate a method of activating the NFC module only when a specific event occurs when the mobile terminal 100 operates as a reader. 6 and 7 provide a method for performing an efficient polling process by storing a list of external objects in advance when the NFC module of the mobile terminal 100 is activated to generate a radio frequency field.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of polling to read information of an external object selected by a user in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a process of setting a list of external objects in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, when operating in the reader mode, the mobile terminal 100 generates a radio frequency field while sequentially changing the protocol of the radio frequency field according to the tag type in order to establish short-range wireless communication with an external object contacted by NFC. Done. As described above, since the protocol of the radio frequency field is changed according to a preset order to establish short-range wireless communication with the external object in NFC contact, the time for recognizing the external object may be increased. Therefore, if the user sets a list of external objects to obtain information in advance, and performs a protocol change only within the protocol of the radio frequency field for establishing short-range wireless communication with the external object included in the set list of external objects, the external object It can prevent time consuming to recognize the.

Meanwhile, after the short range wireless communication with the external object is established, the mobile terminal 100 may use an application program associated with the NFC module to decrypt the information of the external object. An application program related to NFC refers to a program that can utilize information of an external object in which short-range wireless communication is established using a specific NFC protocol. The mobile terminal 100 can read information stored in external objects corresponding to the same external object type using an NFC related application program.

In addition, different application programs may be used for the same external object type. In this case, a program capable of reading information of a specific external object is called an application program related to the external object. The mobile terminal 100 may establish short range wireless communication using a protocol of a radio frequency field according to a type to which the corresponding external object belongs, and use an application program related to the external object to read information of the external object.

That is, even if different external objects belong to the same type and use the same protocol, in order to read information of a specific external object, after establishing short range wireless communication using a protocol of a radio frequency field according to the external object type, Object-related applications or NFC module-related applications can be used. Such applications may be stored by default, or may be stored by the user through download.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, it is assumed that each external object has a different type from each other and that the protocol of the radio frequency field for establishing short-range wireless communication with each external object is different.

Referring to FIG. 6, the mobile terminal 100 receives an input from a user and sets a list of two or more external objects including an external NFC object (S601).

In detail, the process of setting the list of external objects by the mobile terminal 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. Referring to FIG. 7, the controller 180 provides a setting window for registering an external object through the display unit 151 so that the user can set a list of external objects that the user wants to obtain information as shown in FIG. I can display it. For example, the user may store specific tags frequently used by the user in a list for reading by the mobile terminal 100.

Hereinafter, in FIG. 6, an external object is called a tag for convenience of description. The menu for registering a tag may include an 'add tag' item and a 'tag search' item. The 'add tag' item is a menu for manually recognizing a tag that a user wants to register to the mobile terminal 100 and then adding the tag to the tag list. The 'Tag Search' item is a menu for displaying tags that can be read by the mobile terminal 100 and receiving a selection from the user in the tags.

In FIG. 7A, when the controller 180 receives a selection input for the 'add tag' item through the user input unit 130, the controller 180 activates the NFC module as shown in FIG. A radio frequency field is generated for initiating short-range wireless communication with the contacted tag. In this case, the NFC module may change a protocol of the radio frequency field and establish near field communication with a tag. The controller 180 identifies 'A credit card' when near field communication with the 'A credit card' that has been NFC contacted through the NFC module is established.

Subsequently, as shown in (c) of FIG. 7, the controller 180 displays 'A credit card', which is a tag identified through the NFC module, on the display unit 151 and displays a query message or the like to complete tag registration. Can be. Since the process of FIG. 7C is a process for receiving confirmation of tag registration by the user, it may be omitted.

In FIG. 7C, when the controller 180 receives a confirmation input from the user through the user input unit 130, as shown in FIG. 7D, the controller 180 displays the 'A credit card' through the display unit 151. A confirmation message indicating that 'is registered in the tag list is displayed, and identification information of' A credit card 'and' A credit card 'and a protocol for establishing short-range wireless communication are stored in the list of external objects. On the contrary, when the controller 180 receives a cancellation input from the user through the user input unit 130 in FIG. 7C, as shown in FIG. 7E, the controller 180 displays the tag list through the display unit 151. A cancellation message indicating that the registration process is canceled may be displayed, and the screen may return to the tag registration setting window as shown in FIG.

Meanwhile, when the controller 180 receives a selection input for the 'tag search' item through the user input unit 130 in FIG. 7 (a), the controller 180 uses the NFC module as shown in FIG. A tag that can be recognized is searched for and displayed on the display unit 151.

In detail, the controller 180 determines whether the NFC module supports a protocol of a radio frequency field for establishing near field communication with the NFC contacted tag, whether an application for the NFC module is installed, or an application for identifying the tag. The controller 180 searches for recognizable tags and displays them on the display unit 151. In FIG. 7F, the controller 180 displays 'A credit card' and 'Transport card' through the display unit 151, and displays a box window for selecting each tag.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7G, when the controller 180 selects a box window of 'A credit card' from the user through the user input unit 130 and then receives a registration input, as shown in FIG. 7D. The controller 180 displays a confirmation message indicating that the 'A credit card' is registered in the tag list through the display unit 151. In addition, the identification information of the 'A credit card' and the 'A credit card' and a protocol for establishing short-range wireless communication are stored in the list of external objects. On the contrary, when the controller 180 receives a cancellation input from the user through the user input unit 130 in FIG. 7G, the controller 180 displays the tag list through the display unit 151 as illustrated in FIG. 7E. A cancellation message indicating that the registration process is canceled may be displayed, and the screen may return to the tag registration setting window as shown in FIG.

Meanwhile, when the user selects the 'A credit card' icon through the user input unit 130 in FIG. 7 (f), brief information about the 'A credit card' such as the card number and expiration date for the 'A credit card' Can be displayed.

Referring back to FIG. 6, when the mobile terminal 100 detects the movement of the mobile terminal 100 through the sensing unit 140 or detects the proximity of an external object through the proximity sensor 141 (S603). In step S605, the set list of external objects is checked. The process of detecting the movement of the mobile terminal 100 or the proximity of an external object is the same as that of FIGS. 4 and 5 and will not be described.

As described above, the list of external objects may include identification information of the external object, an application program capable of decoding the information of the external object, protocol information for establishing short-range wireless communication with the external object, and the like.

After checking the list of the external objects in step S605, the mobile terminal 100 controls the protocol of the radio frequency field to establish short-range wireless communication with the external object, thereby generating a radio frequency field according to the type of the external object included in the list. It generates (S607).

In this case, when a plurality of external objects are included in the list of external objects, the mobile terminal 100 may establish a protocol of a radio frequency field according to an external object type included in the list to establish short-range wireless communication with the NFC contacted external object. You can change them sequentially. The order of changing the protocol of the radio frequency field may be set by receiving an input from a user, and the mobile terminal 100 may set the predetermined parameter. A process of setting a change order of the protocol of the radio frequency field will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the 'A credit card' is stored in the list of external objects in the mobile terminal 100, the mobile terminal 100 establishes a radio frequency field for establishing short-range wireless communication with the 'A credit card'. The protocol of.

The mobile terminal 100 generating the radio frequency field in step S607 receives a response message from the external object when the NFC contacted external object is included in the list of external objects (S609). That is, near field communication with the NFC object that is in contact with NFC is established. The mobile terminal 100 may decrypt the response message received from the external object using an application program associated with the external object or an application program associated with the NFC module.

On the other hand, since the mobile terminal 100 uses only the protocol of the radio frequency field according to the type of tag corresponding to the list, the mobile terminal 100 does not receive a response message from an external object not included in the list. On the other hand, when the NFC-contacted external object uses the same protocol as the external object included in the list, a predetermined response signal may be received from the NFC-contacted external object, but the NFC-contacted external object is not included in the list. The mobile terminal 100 may determine that the response message has not been received.

If the mobile terminal 100 does not receive a response message from the external object within a predetermined time from the time when the radio frequency field is generated in step S609, the mobile terminal 100 closes with the external object not included in the list from the user. A screen for displaying a message asking whether to start wireless communication is displayed (S611).

That is, when an external object makes NFC contact, the mobile terminal 100 automatically controls the protocol of the radio frequency field to establish short-range wireless communication with the external object included in the list, but then the external object is not included in the list. In order to establish short-range wireless communication with the object, the user may proceed with selection.

In step S611, when the mobile terminal 100 receives information from an external object not included in the list and a selection for initiating short-range wireless communication from the user, the mobile terminal 100 branches to step S607. The mobile terminal 100 changes to a protocol of a radio frequency field other than a protocol of a radio frequency field according to an external object type included in the list in order to establish short-range wireless communication with the NFC object. In this case, the mobile terminal 100 may sequentially change protocols within protocols of the radio frequency field except for protocols of the radio frequency field according to the external object type included in the list in order to establish short-range wireless communication with the external object.

In operation S611, when the mobile terminal 100 receives a user's information about an external object not included in the list and a selection not to initiate short-range wireless communication, the mobile terminal 100 releases the generation of the radio frequency field. At this time, the mobile terminal 100 operates in the card mode, and starts to detect a predetermined event for activating the NFC module through the proximity sensor 141 or the sensing unit 140.

6 and 7 illustrate that when the mobile terminal 100 generates the radio frequency field when the NFC module is activated, the mobile terminal 100 is configured to establish near field communication with an external object included in the list of external objects. A method to control the protocol is presented. Hereinafter, the embodiment according to FIGS. 8 and 9 proposes a method for performing an efficient polling process in the case of controlling by presetting a change order of a protocol of a radio frequency field. In addition, as described above, for convenience of description, it is assumed that each external object is different from each other in type, and the protocol of the radio frequency field for establishing short-range wireless communication with each external object is different.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of polling according to priority in order to read information of an external object in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a view comparing a process of polling to read information of an external object in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the mobile terminal 100 receives a user input or sets a priority of an external object by using a specific parameter (S801). The controller 180 receives a user's input through the user input unit 130 or when the controller 180 changes a protocol of a radio frequency field to establish short-range wireless communication with an external object using a specific parameter. Priority can be set.

Looking at the process of setting the priority in detail, the controller 180 may set the priority depending on whether the application stored in the NFC module or an external object. For example, the priority of the 'A credit card' may be set when the application related to the protocol or the NFC module of the radio frequency field capable of establishing short-range wireless communication with the 'A credit card' is stored. In addition, after the establishment of short-range wireless communication with 'A credit card', if an application for identifying an 'A credit card' and providing an additional service related to 'A credit card' is stored, Can set a higher priority. By this setting, the 'A credit card' and the radio frequency field protocol for establishing short-range wireless communication can be used in preference to other protocols, and as a result, 'A credit card' can be recognized in preference to other external objects. .

In addition, the controller 180 may accumulate and store the number of protocols of the radio frequency field used to establish short-range wireless communication with an external object in the memory unit 160 and set priorities according to the accumulated number.

At this time, the interval for calculating the cumulative number may be set to default, and the user may set the interval. In addition, the cumulative number may be reset to reset the cumulative number, and the cumulative number of protocols of the radio frequency field used to establish short-range wireless communication with an external object may be changed. As a result, the priority of external objects can be changed flexibly.

In addition, the controller 180 may check the location of the mobile terminal 100 through the location information module 115 and set the priority according to the checked location. For example, if the affiliate card can be used in a specific region, and the user's location is found within the region where the affiliate card can be used, the affiliate card can be set higher than other external objects to set the affiliate card higher than other external objects. The protocol of the radio frequency field capable of establishing wireless communication can be preferentially used.

In addition, the controller 180 may set the priority differently according to the time of detecting the movement of the mobile terminal 100 or the proximity of the external object through the sensing unit 140. In this case, the time includes a time, a day, a date, and a month. For example, if the time when the event for activating the NFC module is detected is a weekend, the priority of the affiliate card that provides the entertainment service is set higher than that of other external objects, and in the case of weekdays, the priority of the traffic card is external. Can be set higher than the object.

As such, the controller 180 may set priorities for the external objects using various parameters. However, the above-described parameters are related to one embodiment and are not limited thereto. In addition, the priority of the external object may be set by combining the above-described parameters.

Subsequently, when the mobile terminal 100 detects the movement of the mobile terminal 100 through the sensing unit 140 or detects the proximity of an external object through the proximity sensor 141 (S803), the mobile terminal 100 is set to the external NFC object. The priority is checked (S805). The process of detecting the movement of the mobile terminal 100 or the proximity of an external object is the same as that of FIGS. 4 and 5 and will not be described.

The mobile terminal 100 confirming the priority of the external object in step S805 uses a radio frequency field protocol to establish short-range wireless communication with the external object corresponding to the highest priority for the external object. A field is generated (S807).

As shown in FIG. 9B, the priority of the external object is P type, E type,... In the case of A type, the NFC module preferentially uses a protocol of a radio frequency field for establishing short range wireless communication with an external object of type P under the control of the controller 180.

When the near field communication with the external object is established, the mobile terminal 100 generating the radio frequency field in step S807 acquires information on the external object by receiving a response message from the external object (S809).

In this case, when the response message is not received from the external object in step S809, that is, when the NFC object is not the external object corresponding to the first priority, the mobile terminal 100 branches to step S807. ) Changes the protocol of the radio frequency field to establish short-range wireless communication with an external object corresponding to the next priority, and generates a radio frequency field using the changed protocol.

As shown in FIG. 9B, the priority of the external NFC object is P type, E type,... If the A type is set, the NFC module uses a protocol of a radio frequency field for establishing short range wireless communication with an external object of type E under the control of the controller 180.

On the other hand, (a) of FIG. 9 illustrates a case where the priority of the external object is not set. The NFC module recognizes an external object while changing the protocol of the radio frequency field according to the polling order (A type, B type, ..., N type) set as default under the control of the controller 180.

As such, by establishing a short range wireless communication with the external object while sequentially changing the protocol of the radio frequency field according to the priority, it is possible to prevent the mobile terminal 100 from consuming time for recognizing the external object in NFC contact.

Meanwhile, for convenience of description, the process of polling according to the list of external objects of FIG. 6 and the process of polling according to the priority of FIG. 8 have been described. However, the two methods may be used together.

Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described method can be implemented as a code that can be read by a processor on a medium on which the program is recorded. Examples of the medium that can be read by the processor include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, etc., and may be implemented in the form of a carrier wave (e.g., transmission over the Internet) .

The mobile terminal described above can be applied to not only the configuration and method of the embodiments described above but also all or some of the embodiments may be selectively combined so that various modifications may be made to the embodiments It is possible.

100: mobile terminal 114: short-range communication module
130: user input unit 140: sensing unit
141: proximity sensor 150: output section
160: memory unit 180: control unit

Claims (16)

A short range communication module for performing short range communication with an external object;
A sensing unit configured to detect an event for activating the short range communication module; And
When the event is detected by the sensing unit, the short-range communication module is activated to generate a radio frequency field for initiating short-range communication with the external object, and responds to the radio frequency field. And a controller configured to receive a response message from the external object through the short range communication module. The method of claim 1,
The short range communication module is configured to perform the short range communication in a near field communication (NFC) manner. The method of claim 1,
The sensing unit includes at least one of a transmissive photoelectric sensor, a direct reflective photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflective photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor.
The controller activates the short range communication module when sensing the approach of the external object through the sensing unit. The method of claim 1,
The sensing unit includes at least one sensor of a geomagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, and an altimeter,
The controller activates the short-range communication module when detecting the movement of the mobile terminal through the sensing unit. The method of claim 4, further comprising a memory unit for storing the movement of the mobile terminal,
The control unit activates the short range communication module when detecting the same movement as that of the stored mobile terminal through the sensing unit. The method of claim 1,
The control unit, when receiving a response message from the external object for a predetermined time, releases the generation of the radio frequency field through the short-range communication module. The method of claim 1,
The controller, when detecting the event more than a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times, releases the generation of the radio frequency field through the short range communication module. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a memory unit configured to store a list of two or more external objects including the external object.
And the control unit controls the radio frequency field to establish short-range communication with an external object included in the list. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a memory unit configured to store two or more preset short range communication protocols.
And the control unit controls to change the protocol of the radio frequency field according to a preset priority in order to establish short-range communication with the external object. 10. The method of claim 9,
And the control unit sets the priority according to the protocol cumulative number of times of use of the radio frequency field used to establish short-range communication with the external object. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising a memory unit for storing an application program associated with the local area communication,
The control unit sets the priority according to whether the application program is stored. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a location information module for obtaining a location of the mobile terminal;
The control unit sets the priority according to the position of the mobile terminal confirmed through the location information module. 10. The method of claim 9,
The control unit sets the priority according to the time of detecting the event. The method of claim 1,
A user input unit for inputting information; And
Further comprising an output for outputting information,
The controller, when detecting the event, displays the event detection through the output unit, and activates the near field communication module when an input for activating the near field communication module is received through the input unit. Detecting an event for activating a short range communication module for performing short range communication with an external device;
Generating a radio frequency field for initiating short-range communication with the external object by activating the short-range communication module when detecting the event; And
Receiving a response message from the external object in response to the radio frequency field. Means for detecting an event for activating a near field communication module for performing near field communication with an external device;
Means for activating the near field communication module to generate a radio frequency field for initiating near field communication with the external object upon detecting the event; And
And means for receiving a response message from the external object in response to the radio frequency field.

Images